Residential Collection Guidelines

General guidelines for collection day:

If you use trash cans or bags, do not use sizes larger than 32-gallon size. For the safety of our drivers, please do not overload trash cans or bags with more than 35 pounds of material.

Please bag your trash and tie securely before placing in cart

If branches will not fit in your cart, cans or bags, cut branches into six-foot lengths and tie into bundles no larger than three feet in diameter.

Extra trash and large or bulky items such as furniture, appliances, carpet, construction debris, etc., can be picked up for an extra charge. Please contact us in advance for an estimate and to authorize the charges.

Call in advance to arrange a change of address, a vacation stop and restart, or name change on your account.

Grass clippings, bundled branches and special items must be placed within three feet of the curb or alley.

Trash

Guidelines for automated cart service:

Only use trash and recycle carts provided by Western.

Place carts at least two feet apart and two feet from parked cars, recycling bins, fences, mailboxes and other obstructions.

Place carts with arrow facing the street and the handle facing your house.

Unhook any temporary bungee cords or tie-downs you may have used to secure the lid before setting the cart(s) out on collection day.

Please do not overload carts or place dirt, sod, brick, concrete or rock in carts.

Do not place anything on top of cart(s).

Fill your trash cart first before placing materials outside the cart.

Do not remove the cart(s) from your home if you move. The cart(s) is the property of Western Disposal.

Weight limits (overweight containers will not be emptied):

32-gallon cart

65 pounds

64-gallon cart

150 pounds

96-gallon cart

200 pounds

32-gallon bags (extras)

35 pounds

Please remove carts from the street as soon as possible after collection.

Guidelines for can/bag/bin service:

Do not set out your recyclables on windy days. When possible, save your materials for the next assigned pickup day for the appropriate material.

If you do not use Western’s recycle cart or if you have extra recyclables, use sturdy plastic bins.

Do not set out recyclables in plastic or paper bags.

Tie trash bags securely.

If animals get into your trash, spray the outside of the cans or bags with ammonia.

Container Options & Care

Please wash your cart out periodically with a garden hose. The carts are designed with a smooth interior surface for easy cleaning. You are responsible for keeping the container in clean and sanitary condition.

Do not mark or write anywhere on the cart surface. Do not paint or deface the cart in any way.

The following items CANNOT be placed in the cart:

Dirt, sod, brick, concrete or rock

Debris from construction, remodeling or demolition

Hot ashes, coals or other flammable materials such as solvents, oil, gas or paint

Recycling Guidelines

These guidelines apply to customers who subscribe to our cart service. Scroll down further for the guidelines for co-collect bag customers. Note: collection details can vary depending on your location – check further details here.

Please note: Empty and rinse all containers. Do not flatten containers.

These items ARE NOT ALLOWED:

Plastics other than those listed

Plastic bags

Loose plastic caps (attached okay)

Motor oil bottles

Flexible plastic 6-pack holders

Microwave trays

Styrofoam® to-go containers

Neon, fluorescent, goldenrod or dark-colored paper

Gift wrap or tissue paper

Tissues, paper towels, napkins

Waxed paper or waxed cardboard

Shredded paper

Paper ream wrappers

Books

Photographs

Kraft® or Tyvek® envelopes

Backing from stickers or labels

Stickers(address labels and stamps ok)

Frozen food, ice cream or frozen juice containers

Paper to-go containers(they have a plastic coating)

Paper cups or plates

Straws

Foil drink pouches

Styrofoam® egg cartons or “clamshell” containers

Pet food, kitty litter, fertilizer or charcoal bags

Drinking glasses, window glass, mirrors, ceramics or Pyrex®

Light bulbs, plates or vases

Scrap metal

Hazardous or bio-hazardous waste, needles or syringes

Diapers

If in doubt, throw it out! Don’t guess.

Co-Collect Bag Guidelines

These guidelines apply to customers who live in rural or mountain areas and subscribe to our co-collect bag service.

To download a printable version of the guidelines for co-collect bags in English click here.

This program is designed so that you can mix everything together in one bag. All recyclables included in the guidelines above, except glass items, can be placed in the bag. You may mix your newspaper, junk mail, cans and plastic bottles. Glass is not allowed in this program to protect our drivers and sorters.

How to Maximize Your Recycling at Home (and Decrease Your Trash)

The key to efficient recycling is an easy-to-use storage system that fits into your daily routine. Recycling can take effort, but when you make it convenient and create a system for it, recycling gets to be an easy habit. Here are some tips that will help you recycle more and trash less:

Make recycling convenient. Have a place to store recyclables wherever they are generated. Example: place a box under your desk in your home office for office paper, set a bin under your kitchen sink for commingled containers.

Set up an intermediate holding location for each level of your home using separate bins for mixed paper, commingled containers and trash. These bins can then be easily emptied taken to the trash and recycle area outside.

Have a dedicated storage area outside for your recyclables and compostables if applicable. If you have recycle carts, they can be placed almost anywhere: garages, carports, on the side of your house, etc. The carts have lids and friction locks to protect materials from the wind and weather, and they are more difficult for animals to access.

Place a copy of the recycle guidelines wherever you have a recycle container so you can easily identify what materials are acceptable guidelines.

Place a copy of the recycle collection calendar where it is convenient and easy to find.